pro stock helmets

[cause4alarm 7]

What makes a pro stock helmet (like the ones sold at hockeymonkey) different than the regular retail version?

Do they come with thinner liners? If so, are they still certified?

[Chadd 916]

No stickers, no logos on the sides.

[Louie 28]

Some do have the stickers on the back that are just removed by team equipment managers.

Basically, like Chadd said there is only one company logo on the front.

[cause4alarm 7]

I just peeled the stickers off my CCM. Is it now effectively a "pro stock"?

[Sven 1]

Yes. Mail me your Email for your NHL contract.

No, but seriously... On Ebay are Pro Stock Intakes and 8k helmets which have this grey foam liner instead of the retail ones which are set on certain places, the Pro Stock helmets have one big liner. Couldnt find a pic tho.

[davezilla 0]

Yes. Mail me your Email for your NHL contract.

No, but seriously... On Ebay are Pro Stock Intakes and 8k helmets which have this grey foam liner instead of the retail ones which are set on certain places, the Pro Stock helmets have one big liner. Couldnt find a pic tho.

I think the prostock Intakes have a black or white logo, while the retail version has a chrome emblem.

[tlminh 0]

I think its just the logo, it doesnt necessarily mean that players use them, could be a marketing scheme as well

[Dupes 1]

side logos are gone

rbk 8k: carbon fiber insert matches the helmet color.

[Ngo_35 1]

I've seen some prostocks made specifically to match the newest equipment.

For example there was a helmet that looked like an 8000 from the outside but inside it was the same foam as the 4000 not the epp stuff.

[TBLfan 25]

because most pros use VN, because they don't feel like using 6 different helmets a game.

One decent hit to an EPP helmet and it's garbage, you can use VN until it starts to get hard.

[cause4alarm 7]

because most pros use VN, because they don't feel like using 6 different helmets a game.

One decent hit to an EPP helmet and it's garbage, you can use VN until it starts to get hard.

What do you mean by it being garbage? Does it fracture or something?

I'm a big fan of EPP due to it's light weight and I find it to be much more comfortable than VN. (I think the support from the EPP's stiffness helps the helmet to maintain it's shape. My old VN helmet would get all squished in my hockey bag and pinch at my temples when I put it back on.) Then again, I'm playing non-check beer leagues.

[Drewhunz 3]

EPP is an open-cell foam which compresses. Once compressed, the cells have closed thus eliminating their protective purpose. Basically, EPP is like a bunch of balloons used for cushioning. Once popped, there isn't much cushioning left.

900 posts :)

[cause4alarm 7]

EPP is an open-cell foam which compresses. Once compressed, the cells have closed thus eliminating their protective purpose. Basically, EPP is like a bunch of balloons used for cushioning. Once popped, there isn't much cushioning left.

900 posts :)

So is there an easy way to tell when your EPP is spent?

[Drewhunz 3]

If it feels thin or hard, baby's done.

[TBLfan 25]

it can crack somewhat easily, depending on the fracture of the foam it can loose a lot of protective properties. I believe the only way to know if it's cracked is to have it x-rayed.

It really isn't a better option and it's only more protective for that first hit. Look at bike helmets, similar foam and anytime it gets hit it NEEDS to be replaced. It's like a roll of a dice with hockey helmets, the foam may or may not fracture... I personally, am not willing to take that risk.

[Hockey Player 0]

Apparently EPP is more protective. After a big blow, the EPP will compress and return to it's shape. The one that doesen't return is EPS, the stuff in bike helmets.

[TBLfan 25]

The stuff the two helmets are different, it was just a comparison, but the reactions to blows are virtually the same. EPP is stronger but it won't compress and return to shape as a VN would under hard impact, it just cracks to absorb the blow(which is why initially it's more protective).

The foam is cheap and light, that is why it's being used soo much in retail helmets. There's a reason why in goalie masks it's only in extremely low end masks, because it's cheap. They want you to believe it's more protective but after that first big hit, it is not. With VN if the glue is still intact and the foam isn't ripped it's still good to go until the foam gets hard.

[Project824 0]

because most pros use VN, because they don't feel like using 6 different helmets a game.

One decent hit to an EPP helmet and it's garbage, you can use VN until it starts to get hard.

Pretty sure they all use VN because that's what they're used to and it's more comfortable. In 10 years you're going to have kids who will be skating in EPP and not care because that's what they grew up wearing.

[TBLfan 25]

nah, most of us smart players use VN. :P

You're probably right as far as players using EPP eventually... but of course because of bett(er)man the NHL won't be as physical because there will be no more fighting(patty-cake will replace it) and of course no more body checking.

More than likely they'll figure out a foam that allows it to flex to absorb more impact and return to shape instead of breaking in the process. Neither VN nor EPP is really ideal for repeated blows to the head.

[DamnLocust 0]

nah, most of us smart players use VN. :P

Unfortunately, there aren't many smart players out there.

I prefer the EPP because it doesn't absorb all of your sweat and won't retain the smell as much as VN. (Of course this means that there's a chance that the sweat will run down my face.) Also, it's not very often that I receive a blow to the head, let alone one hard enough to crack the padding. A hit hard enough to crack the padding in an EPP helmet is also hard enough to compromise the integrity of the shell, so if you receive the same blow with a VN helmet, it's just as worthless as the EPP helmet with cracked padding. Besides, if you're receiving blows to the head on a regular basis, you may be playing the wrong game.

[TBLfan 25]

agreed, but I was talking more about the NHL than in lower leagues... And it's not that they are taking direct head shots(on a regular basis, ok maybe Lindros is the exception :P ) but just the usual contact that can lead to a blow to the head can cause a crack(all it takes is hitting it hard enough in the right spot). I'm not saying that EPP doesn't have advantages and I'm certainly not saying that everyone that uses EPP is a dumbass but I'm saying that EPP's benefits don't outweight it's downfalls, in MY opinion.

In the end it all boils down to personal preference.

P.S. All you have to do is squirt some water into your helmet and let it air out and you get no smell and it doesn't dry out as fast(if you can call a couple years fast). EPP can definitely hold in some stink, but it's not as bad as untaken-care-of VN.

[Hockey Player 0]

I started out playing with a Gretzky style Jofa, which became a Messier style Cooper, which became a CCM HT2, which became another HT2.

I hated VN. I find it uncomfortable, heavy, smelly and you get sweat in your eyes, and is terribly ventilated. Also, it doesen't look too cool when there's VN sticking out of you helmet because of bad glue (Mine is like that, see link below). I took my fair share of bad hits, such as an open ice Lindros hit, a head first hit from behind, etc. Not protective.

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20041204/doan_80707.jpg

I'm finally switching to EPP. I'm down to 2 choices. The Mission Intake and the RBK 6k. I'd only buy the 8k if it's that much better and lighter than the other 2, and if the Microdial doesen't do anything, and the Mission sucks or doesen't fit correctly, I'll take the 6k.

Unless someone convinces me to stick with VN, my decision won't change.

The only helmets I'd possibly consider with VN is the Nike Bauer 4500, and the RBK 4k (but I think it's just a new version of the HT2 or the 892...oh, another possibility)

[Chadd 916]

I started out playing with a Gretzky style Jofa, which became a Messier style Cooper, which became a CCM HT2, which became another HT2.

I hated VN. I find it uncomfortable, heavy, smelly and you get sweat in your eyes, and is terribly ventilated. Also, it doesen't look too cool when there's VN sticking out of you helmet because of bad glue (Mine is like that, see link below). I took my fair share of bad hits, such as an open ice Lindros hit, a head first hit from behind, etc. Not protective.

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20041204/doan_80707.jpg

I'm finally switching to EPP. I'm down to 2 choices. The Mission Intake and the RBK 6k. I'd only buy the 8k if it's that much better and lighter than the other 2, and if the Microdial doesen't do anything, and the Mission sucks or doesen't fit correctly, I'll take the 6k.

Unless someone convinces me to stick with VN, my decision won't change.

The only helmets I'd possibly consider with VN is the Nike Bauer 4500, and the RBK 4k (but I think it's just a new version of the HT2 or the 892...oh, another possibility)

Buy what you want and what fits your head. We're not here to pimp any one brand over another.

[cause4alarm 7]

I started out playing with a Gretzky style Jofa, which became a Messier style Cooper, which became a CCM HT2, which became another HT2.

I hated VN. I find it uncomfortable, heavy, smelly and you get sweat in your eyes, and is terribly ventilated. Also, it doesen't look too cool when there's VN sticking out of you helmet because of bad glue (Mine is like that, see link below). I took my fair share of bad hits, such as an open ice Lindros hit, a head first hit from behind, etc. Not protective.

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20041204/doan_80707.jpg

I'm finally switching to EPP. I'm down to 2 choices. The Mission Intake and the RBK 6k. I'd only buy the 8k if it's that much better and lighter than the other 2, and if the Microdial doesen't do anything, and the Mission sucks or doesen't fit correctly, I'll take the 6k.

Unless someone convinces me to stick with VN, my decision won't change.

The only helmets I'd possibly consider with VN is the Nike Bauer 4500, and the RBK 4k (but I think it's just a new version of the HT2 or the 892...oh, another possibility)

I couldn't really notice any big weight difference between the 6K and the 8K. I also had a hard time using the microdial to any advantage.

[TBLfan 25]

I believe the microdial is the only difference between the two.